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Dspdrew's Camponotus laevigatus Journal [219] (Updated 12-4-2023)

camponotus quercicola carpenter ants journal dspdrew

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#1 Offline dspdrew - Posted June 5 2015 - 7:31 AM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA
6-5-2015
 
I found this queen May 30th 2015 in Angelus Oaks, California. I was collecting C. laevigatus queens from giant downed trees in the forest, when later I found out one of them was C. quercicola.
 
1. Location of collection:  Angelus Oaks, California.
2. Date of collection:  6-5-2015.
3. Habitat of collection:  Pine/Oak Forest.
4. Length (from head to gaster):  16mm.
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture:  All black with brown at the tips of its legs and antennae; sparse gold hairs, numerous on cheeks; fairly dull.
6. Distinguishing characteristics:  No clypeal carina; large head; elongated eggs.
 
gallery_2_420_64012.jpg
 
gallery_2_420_42316.jpg
 
gallery_2_420_113279.jpg
 
 
About three days later, this queen laid three very elongated eggs, similar to those of C. laevigatus.
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#2 Offline Wamdar - Posted June 5 2015 - 8:47 AM

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wow! Great pictures. Beautiful species 



#3 Offline dspdrew - Posted June 5 2015 - 9:01 AM

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  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

You should see C. laevigatus with their glistening white hairs.



#4 Offline Jonathan21700 - Posted June 5 2015 - 1:05 PM

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Nice!



#5 Offline nurbs - Posted June 8 2015 - 3:50 AM

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You found one! I am jealous.


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California Ants for Sale

 

Unidentified Myrmecocystus

https://www.formicul...ls-near-desert/

 

Undescribed "Modoc"

https://www.formicul...mp-ca-5-4-2017/

 

Camponotus or Colobopsis yogi:

https://www.formicul...a-ca-1-28-2018/

 
Camponotus us-ca02
https://www.formicul...onotus-us-ca02/

 

Unidentified Formica

https://www.formicul...l-ca-6-27-2020/

 
Pencil Case and Test Tube Formicariums
https://www.formicul...m-and-outworld/
 
Bloodworm Soup
https://www.formicul...bloodworm-soup/


#6 Offline dspdrew - Posted June 8 2015 - 6:21 AM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

Yeah, now to see if I can get lucky enough to have my one and only C. quercicola queen end up a successful one. I have actually had this happen with quite a few other species, so it's not inconceivable.


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#7 Offline Miles - Posted June 8 2015 - 7:24 AM

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Yeah, now to see if I can get lucky enough to have my one and only C. quercicola queen end up a successful one. I have actually had this happen with quite a few other species, so it's not inconceivable.

There's something to be said for collecting only one of a species. For some reason, it's like they know how important they are and are successful! I've definitely shared that experience.


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PhD Student & NSF Graduate Research Fellow | University of Florida Dept. of Entomology & Nematology - Lucky Ant Lab 

 

Founder & Director of The Ant Network. Ant keeper since 2009. Insect ecologist and science communicator. He/Him.


#8 Offline Myrmicinae - Posted June 8 2015 - 8:08 AM

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Yeah, now to see if I can get lucky enough to have my one and only C. quercicola queen end up a successful one. I have actually had this happen with quite a few other species, so it's not inconceivable.

There's something to be said for collecting only one of a species. For some reason, it's like they know how important they are and are successful! I've definitely shared that experience.

 

 

This has actually been my experience as well.


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#9 Offline Jonathan21700 - Posted June 8 2015 - 12:35 PM

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Yeah, now to see if I can get lucky enough to have my one and only C. quercicola queen end up a successful one. I have actually had this happen with quite a few other species, so it's not inconceivable.

There's something to be said for collecting only one of a species. For some reason, it's like they know how important they are and are successful! I've definitely shared that experience.

 

 

This has actually been my experience as well.

 

Same here.



#10 Offline nurbs - Posted June 8 2015 - 1:14 PM

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Since this species lives in Oak trees specific to CA, I wonder how well she will thrive in a test tube. I will be following this thread with interest. 


Instagram:
nurbsants
 
YouTube
 
California Ants for Sale

 

Unidentified Myrmecocystus

https://www.formicul...ls-near-desert/

 

Undescribed "Modoc"

https://www.formicul...mp-ca-5-4-2017/

 

Camponotus or Colobopsis yogi:

https://www.formicul...a-ca-1-28-2018/

 
Camponotus us-ca02
https://www.formicul...onotus-us-ca02/

 

Unidentified Formica

https://www.formicul...l-ca-6-27-2020/

 
Pencil Case and Test Tube Formicariums
https://www.formicul...m-and-outworld/
 
Bloodworm Soup
https://www.formicul...bloodworm-soup/


#11 Offline dspdrew - Posted June 8 2015 - 1:33 PM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

I wonder about that with many species, but I think it's probably no different than a lot of the dirt nesting species that do just fine in a test tube or other formicarium made from a material that they don't normally nest in. Given the choice, I think a living oak tree is just what they would prefer. I could be wrong though, and there might be a reason they just won't thrive in anything else, but I doubt it.


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#12 Offline dspdrew - Posted July 11 2015 - 11:15 AM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA
Update 7-11-2015

My one and only C. quercicola queen is doing well so far. She just got her first worker yesterday.
 
gallery_2_420_115246.jpg
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#13 Offline dspdrew - Posted August 24 2015 - 7:37 PM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

Update 8-24-2015

This colony is up to six workers now. I'm not sure if that is slow growth or normal for this species because I have never had them before, and haven't ever known anyone else who has. There hasn't been any deaths so that is good. They've been fairly inactive, just huddled together most of the time. They also have kept their test tube very clean.



#14 Offline dspdrew - Posted September 16 2015 - 8:49 PM

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  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

Update 9-16-2015

Colony's up to eight workers now, with another just around the corner.



#15 Offline dermy - Posted September 17 2015 - 11:25 AM

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I think it's rather normal for most Camponotus species to have very slow growth. Especially in the First year. Hopefully things pick up next year.



#16 Offline James C. Trager - Posted September 17 2015 - 12:52 PM

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Is that a median concavity I see on the clypeal margin? You know what that means...



#17 Offline dspdrew - Posted September 17 2015 - 1:06 PM

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  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

Are you talking about a clypeal notch? What picture do you see this in? This queen is huge.



#18 Offline Gregory2455 - Posted September 21 2015 - 10:13 PM

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Is that a median concavity I see on the clypeal margin? You know what that means...

What does that mean? I mean I have an idea but I am not sure.



#19 Offline dspdrew - Posted January 17 2016 - 7:52 PM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA
Update 1-17-2016
 
The colony has seven workers now.
 
A couple days ago I put them into hibernation in my new "hibernation cabinet".
 
med_gallery_2_478_132155.jpg
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#20 Offline dspdrew - Posted April 28 2016 - 3:58 PM

dspdrew
  • LocationSanta Ana, CA

Update 4-28-2016
 
I just took this colony out of hibernation yesterday. There's only four workers left now, so hopefully she lays some eggs soon.

 

They didn't seem interested in crickets when they first warmed up, but they did drink quite a bit of Sunburst Ant Nectar. I gave them a little piece of a cricket today and they did feed on it.

 

I'm keeping these, along with all the other Camponotus found up in the mountains in another area of my apartment where it's usually about 80 degrees instead of the room where it's always over 90. I think this will probably be better for them.







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